Chapter 996 - 81: Princess, You’re Being Mischievous

Chapter 996: Chapter 81: Princess, You’re Being Mischievous

"Nine Curves Maze?" Mu Qingge repeated, offering a slight smile to Chu Nian, and nodded, "I understand, thank you."

Chu Nian smiled faintly and shook her head slowly.

"You should rest first, I won’t disturb you. If you need anything, send a servant to find me. The feast is in three days; feel free to wander around Wuhua Palace if you like during these days." Before leaving, Chu Nian said to Mu Qingge.

"Alright." Mu Qingge barely nodded, watching Chu Nian leave.

After she walked away and her figure disappeared from sight, Yin Chen stepped out, standing behind Mu Qingge.

"Any findings?" Yin Chen asked.

Mu Qingge nodded, revealing a smile. "I found a place with a high possibility, although getting in might take some effort."

"Where?" Yin Chen inquired.

Mu Qingge turned back, looking at him, "Just now she mentioned that within the Divine Emperor Palace, there is a place even she cannot go. It’s Wuhua God Emperor’s cultivation ground, now called One Leaf Pavilion, and it’s surrounded by the protection of Nine Curves Maze."

"One Leaf Pavilion, Nine Curves Maze." Yin Chen’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Mu Qingge nodded, "The Divine Strategy Lower Volume is a treasure everyone desires, making it highly conspicuous. If the Wuhua God Emperor doesn’t keep it on him, the most likely hiding spot is that Little Leaf Pavilion. Conversely, if it’s not in the Little Leaf Pavilion, then it’s on the Wuhua God Emperor. If neither, it suggests the information might be false."

"Then I’ll sneak in to check." Yin Chen proposed.

"You?" Mu Qingge raised her eyes to look at him.

Yin Chen nodded earnestly, "I know the Illusion Technique. As long as I avoid the Wuhua God Emperor, I can infiltrate the Divine Emperor Palace to scout the Little Leaf Pavilion and Nine Curves Maze. If I can enter Little Leaf Pavilion, great, saving you from risk. If not, at least I can gather some useful intelligence for you."

"Hmm, that could work. However, be extremely careful." Mu Qingge contemplated for a moment before nodding to agree to Yin Chen’s proactive offer.

Yin Chen nodded, but spoke with concern, "Even if the Little Leaf Pavilion is difficult to enter, it’s a dead-end over there. But what about Wuhua God Emperor? He is a genuine Divine Emperor, a High-Rank Saint Realm powerhouse. How can we find out if the Divine Strategy Lower Volume is on him?"

This indeed was the most daunting issue.

The Divine Emperor could create his own storage space, which is the safest place.

"This is indeed a challenge." Mu Qingge pursed her lips.

With her hands clasped behind her back, she walked towards the side hall, looking pensive as if considering how to inspect Wuhua God Emperor’s belongings.

On the first day at Wuhua Palace, Mu Qingge was exceptionally quiet.

After Chu Nian took her to the side hall, she remained behind closed doors. When word reached Wuhua God Emperor, he ambiguously acknowledged it with a ’hmm’ and withdrew the surveillance on Mu Qingge.

Meanwhile, quiet in the side hall, Mu Qingge was immersed in her thoughts.

She pondered how to ascertain whether the Divine Strategy Lower Volume was with Wuhua God Emperor. For an entire day and night, she thought of countless methods, denying them all in the end.

As the next day’s first light rose, she slowly opened her eyes, with a sharp edge in her tranquil gaze. "It seems I’ll have to take a risk." Mu Qingge murmured softly.

After a day and night, she finally determined a very risky yet the only viable plan.

However, this endeavor must wait until she has investigated the Little Leaf Pavilion.

Having made up her mind, Mu Qingge felt lighter at heart.

She considered and then called for a servant to invite Chu Nian.

In no time, Chu Nian arrived outside her side hall door. Mu Qingge stepped out and said to her, "There’s nothing today; if you have no other plans, could you accompany me for a tour around Wuhua Palace? As I am new here, I am not familiar with the rare and must-see sights within Wuhua Palace."

"Of course, I’d be delighted." Chu Nian nodded with a smile, agreeing without hesitation.

Mu Qingge smiled slightly, leaving behind the Divine Demon Puppet and Yin Chen, and went out alone with Chu Nian. As she left, she exchanged a secret glance with Yin Chen, who subtly nodded in understanding.

Inviting Chu Nian out was not just a pastime for Mu Qingge.

Because she had sensed someone watching her covertly since yesterday, although today that was no longer the case, it still implied that Wuhua God Emperor had a bit of mistrust towards her.

Thus, she deliberately arranged a conspicuous and high-profile outing with Chu Nian.

This way, Wuhua God Emperor’s attention would focus on her, giving Yin Chen the opportunity to infiltrate the Divine Emperor Palace and gather information through the Illusion Technique.

As it turned out, today she was the bait, while Yin Chen was the key move.

"What would you like to see?" Once they left the side hall’s confines, Chu Nian asked Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge slowly shook her head, a smile playing on her lips, "Nothing specific. In the Huan Yue Domain, a senior once told me everything has its way, to see more, think more, and ask more. This is your territory in Wuhua Palace, so it’s up to you to decide where to go."

"Your senior spoke well. Since you said so, I have an idea. Come with me." Chu Nian’s eyes were gentle, without a hint of indifference.

Mu Qingge followed Chu Nian, heading to a certain part of Wuhua Palace.

She and Yin Chen had a contract, so there was a slight connection between them. If danger arose, she could instantly bring him into the space, disappearing without a trace.

Of course, the prerequisite for this is that Yin Chen must be within the range of the Wuhua Palace.

If it’s any farther, with her current strength, she won’t be able to manipulate space.

"Space! Space Power!" Mu Qingge sighed inwardly.

Before, her Space Ability was used for storage, but now, as her understanding of principles deepened, she discovered infinite possibilities.

Chu Nian led Mu Qingge to a secluded area, gradually moving away from the palace buildings.

Though Mu Qingge was puzzled, she didn’t ask much and silently followed her onto those weed-covered paths.

There are weeds everywhere, but if you observe carefully, you can find faint marks left by people who have walked here among the weeds.

Mu Qingge understood that, although this place was not often visited by people, it still had its share of visitors.

Just as she thought of this, Chu Nian smiled and explained to her: "In the Wuhua Palace, aside from the places where disciples cultivate, most are palaces and halls. I suppose you’re tired of those views. The most famous and not-to-be-missed sight in Wuhua Palace is the evening glow, but now is still early, and we cannot see it yet. So, I’m taking you to a place that very few people know about or visit. I believe you will like it."

"Could it be Princess Chu Nian’s secret place?" Mu Qingge teased, half-jokingly.

To her surprise, Chu Nian was taken aback, a slight blush rising on her cheeks.

She reached out with her little finger to hook the stray hair beside her cheek, tucking it behind her ear, and said to Mu Qingge, "With you saying that, I dare not take you there. Otherwise, you’d think I have ulterior motives towards you, little one."

"Little one..." Mu Qingge was speechless.

The impression Chu Nian gave her has always been calm, magnanimous, elegant, and noble.

At this moment, speaking of jokes, she displays a rare playfulness.

"Why, am I not older than you, are you not the little one?" Mu Qingge’s demeanor somehow amused Chu Nian, and she chuckled, raising an eyebrow.

Mu Qingge shook her head with laughter, bowing slightly to her, "Yes, yes, the senior speaks reasonably. I am still young, and naturally, the rice I’ve eaten isn’t as much as the salt the senior has consumed."

Chu Nian’s eyes turned sharp as she said angrily, "Are you calling me old?"

Uh!

Mu Qingge looked up, bewildered. Inwardly thinking, "Weren’t you the one who wanted to act like a senior?"

Looking at her innocent expression, Chu Nian couldn’t help but burst into laughter. "Let’s go, let’s go, I won’t tease you anymore. Who knew you were quite an interesting person."

Mu Qingge continued following her and said, "I also didn’t expect Princess Chu Nian to have a playful side."

Being called playful, Chu Nian’s ears reddened slightly, she pursed her lips and quickened her pace.

Passing through the weedy path, Chu Nian led Mu Qingge to a place with a wide view and extremely beautiful scenery.

"Here, you can overlook my entire Wuhua Domain." Chu Nian said to Mu Qingge.

Under their feet, knee-high grass waved with the wind. Distant mountains, seas of clouds, waterfall caves, blooming hills, all form a captivating panorama. Hidden among these beautiful sceneries are faint traces of buildings.

"We can wait for the evening glow here. Actually, watching Wuhua Palace’s evening glow from here is the most beautiful." Chu Nian sat in the grass, where the long grass immediately created a barrier between her and Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge also sat down, so they could only see each other through the grass in between.

The grass was lush, soft, swaying freely in the mountain wind.

Mu Qingge glanced at Chu Nian, and seeing her completely immersed in the scenery, seemed to have forgotten about her presence beside her.

Without disturbing her tranquility, Mu Qingge took out a flask of strong wine from space while contacting Yin Chen in her mind.

"Yin Chen, how is it?"

Soon, Yin Chen replied, "I have entered the Divine Emperor Palace and am currently searching for the Nine Curves Maze, everything is normal."

"Alright, be careful."

Mu Qingge advised and then cut off the connection.

She pulled out the stopper of the wine flask, raised it high, and let the strong wine pour down from the mouth of the flask into her mouth.

The aroma of the wine wafted, Chu Nian sniffed and, attracted by the scent, turned to look at her. "Smells so good!"

She muttered, and upon seeing Mu Qingge, she couldn’t help but freeze, her eyes turning vacant.

Mu Qingge, dressed in red, sat amidst the grass, drinking boldly with her head tilted back, exuding a kind of casualness, a kind of wildness, and an unyielding spirit to the heavens that left Chu Nian feeling dazed.

It seemed that the Mu Qingge like this had something she yearned for.

Mu Qingge drank the strong wine, the spicy sensation coursing through her limbs, making her feel immensely happy. She wiped away the wine from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, turning to see Chu Nian looking at her.

Being stared at by Chu Nian, she instinctively extended the wine flask and asked, "Would you like some?"